EP1724644B1 - Fixierflüssigkeit und Gerät zum Fixieren des Toners - Google Patents

Fixierflüssigkeit und Gerät zum Fixieren des Toners Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1724644B1
EP1724644B1 EP06010168A EP06010168A EP1724644B1 EP 1724644 B1 EP1724644 B1 EP 1724644B1 EP 06010168 A EP06010168 A EP 06010168A EP 06010168 A EP06010168 A EP 06010168A EP 1724644 B1 EP1724644 B1 EP 1724644B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
toner
recording medium
dissolving
fixing
component
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
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EP06010168A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP1724644A1 (de
Inventor
Yasuo Katano
Tsuneo Kurotori
Hiromichi Komai
Takuma Nakamura
Tomoyasu Hirasawa
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Ricoh Co Ltd
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Ricoh Co Ltd
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Publication of EP1724644A1 publication Critical patent/EP1724644A1/de
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/20—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat
    • G03G15/2096—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using a solvent
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G11/00—Selection of substances for use as fixing agents

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fixing liquid, a toner fixing method and a toner fixing apparatus.
  • An image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile machine, and a copying machine is an apparatus for forming an image, which may include a character or a symbol, on a recording medium such as a paper, a cloth, and an OHP sheet based on information of the image.
  • an electrophotographic image forming apparatus has been widely used in an office since a high-definition image can be formed on a normal paper with a high speed.
  • a heat fixing method has been widely used in which toner is fixed on a recording medium by heating or fusing the toner on the recording medium and pressurizing the fused toner. This heat-fixing method has been preferably used since a high fixing speed, a high fixed image quality, can be provided.
  • a fixing apparatus with low electric power consumption is desired from the viewpoint of recent measures against environmental problems. That is, a fixing method is desired which does not requires to extremely lower temperature at which toner is heated compared to the conventional one or to heat toner, for fixing the toner. Particularly, a no-heat fixing method of fixing toner on a recording medium in which toner is not heated at all is ideal in regard to low electric power consumption.
  • Japanese Patent No. 3290513 discloses a method for wet-fixing toner which includes spraying or dropping an oil-drop-in-water-type fixing agent onto a surface of an object to be subjected to fixation on which unfixed toner is disposed at a predetermined position, so as to dissolve or swell the toner, in which agent an organic compound is dispersed and mixed in water which compound can dissolve or swell the toner and cannot be dissolved or can be hardly dissolved in water, and subsequently drying the object subjected to fixation.
  • the surface of a toner particle is water-repellently treated with hydrophobic silica, etc., in order to prevent the toner particles from absorbing the water content in atmosphere and aggregating each other and to keep the fluidity of the toner. Therefore, when an aqueous fixing liquid containing water as a dispersion medium, such as the aforementioned fixing agent, is sprayed or dropped onto unfixed toner on a recording medium, the water-repellently treated toner particles are repelled by the aqueous fixing liquid. As a result, a blank portion is formed on a toner image and a defect is produced on the image.
  • FIGs. 1A, 1B, and 1C are diagrams illustrating a fixing method of providing an aqueous fixing liquid to water-repellently treated toner on a recording medium.
  • a liquid drop of an aqueous fixing liquid 13 is dropped onto a layer of water-repellently treated unfixed toner 12 transcribed on a recording paper 11 as a recording medium by a proper fixing liquid providing device.
  • FIG. 1B when the liquid drop of an aqueous fixing liquid 13 contacts the layer of water-repellently treated unfixed toner 12, particles of water-repellently treated unfixed toner 12 are repelled by the liquid drop of an aqueous fixing liquid 13. Consequently, as shown in FIG.
  • the particles of water-repellently treated unfixed toner 12 which have been repelled by the liquid drop of an aqueous fixing liquid 13 are transferred to a peripheral portion of the liquid drop of an aqueous fixing liquid 13 with the diffusion of the aqueous fixing liquid 13 on and in the recording paper 11. Then, an undesired blank portion of the water-repellently treated toner is formed on the layer of water-repellently treated unfixed toner 12 transcribed on the recording paper 11 and a defect is produced on an image formed by the toner.
  • the aqueous fixing liquid 13 is used, there is a problem that the layer of unfixed toner 12 transcribed on the recording paper 11 is easily disturbed.
  • a nonaqueous fixing liquid in which a material capable of dissolving or swelling toner is dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent.
  • Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2004-109749 discloses a fixing liquid in which an ester from an aliphatic dibasic acid, etc., as a material component capable of dissolving or swelling a resin component constituting toner, is diluted with (or dissolved in) nonvolatile dimethyl silicone as a diluent (or solvent).
  • Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 59-119364 discloses a solution for fixing an unfixed toner image, which can dissolve toner and is obtained by mixing 8 - 120 parts by volume of a silicone oil into 100 parts by volume of a solvent having a compatibility with the silicone oil on a mutual dissolution condition.
  • nonaqueous fixing liquid contains a nonaqueous solvent having a high affinity with water-repellently treated unfixed toner, the toner can be dissolved or swelled and fixed on a recording medium without repelling the water-repellently unfixed toner.
  • VOC volatile organic compound
  • a nonaqueous fixing liquid in which a material capable of dissolving or swelling toner is dissolved in a nonvolatile nonaqueous solvent has a high permeability into a recording medium. Therefore, when a nonaqueous fixing liquid as described above is sprayed or dropped onto unfixed toner on a recording medium, the nonaqueous fixing liquid has a high speed for diffusing on or in the recording medium and penetrating through the recording medium and only a portion of the material capable of dissolving or swelling toner contained in the nonaqueous fixing liquid dissolves or swells the unfixed toner on the recording medium.
  • the residual portion of the material capable of dissolving or swelling toner is not utilized for dissolving or swelling the toner and diffuses on or in the recording medium and penetrates through the recording medium with the nonaqueous solvent.
  • the concentration of the material capable of dissolving or swelling toner contained in the nonaqueous fixing liquid it is necessary to increase the concentration of the material capable of dissolving or swelling toner contained in the nonaqueous fixing liquid.
  • the concentration of a solvent dissolved into a silicone oil as a nonaqueous solvent for the fixing solution disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 59-119364 is necessarily 20 % by weight or greater.
  • FIGs. 2A, 2B and 2C are diagrams illustrating a fixing method in which a nonaqueous fixing liquid is provided to water-repellently treated toner on a recording medium in which liquid a material capable of dissolving or swelling toner is dissolved in a nonvolatile nonaqueous solvent.
  • a liquid drop of a nonaqueous fixing liquid 23 in which a material capable of dissolving or swelling toner is dissolved in a nonvolatile nonaqueous solvent is dropped onto a layer of water-repellently treated unfixed toner 22 transcribed on a recording paper 21 as a recording medium by a proper fixing liquid providing device.
  • FIG. 2A a liquid drop of a nonaqueous fixing liquid 23 in which a material capable of dissolving or swelling toner is dissolved in a nonvolatile nonaqueous solvent is dropped onto a layer of water-repellently treated unfixed toner 22 transcribed on a recording paper 21 as a recording medium by a proper fixing liquid providing
  • the nonaqueous fixing liquid 23 contacting the recording paper 21 has a high permeability into the recording paper 21 and rapidly permeates into the recording paper 21.
  • FIG. 2C only a portion of the material capable of dissolving or swelling toner contained in the nonaqueous fixing liquid 23 can dissolve or swell the unfixed toner 22 on the recording paper 21 but the residual portion of the material capable of dissolving or swelling toner permeates and diffuses in the recording paper 21 with the nonvolatile nonaqueous solvent without dissolving or swelling the unfixed toner 22 on the recording paper 21.
  • a fixing liquid configured to fix a toner containing a resin on a recording medium, wherein a particle containing a component capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner is dispersed in a nonaqueous dispersing medium as defined in claim 1.
  • a toner fixing apparatus configured to fix a toner containing a resin on a recording medium, as defined in claim 5.
  • the first embodiment of the present invention is a fixing liquid configured to fix a toner containing a resin on a recording medium, wherein a particle containing a component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner is dispersed in a nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) as defined in claim 1.
  • the toner contains a resin such as a binder resin and a releasing agent.
  • the resin contained in the toner is not particularly limited but, for a preferable binder resin, a polystyrene resin, a styrene-acryl copolymer resin, a polyester resin, etc., can be provided and, for a releasing agent, for example, a wax component such as polyethylene can be provided.
  • the toner may contain a well-known coloring agent, charge control agent, fluidizing agent, external additive, as well as the binder resin. Also, it is preferable that the toner is water-repellently treated by fixing a hydrophobic fine particle such as a hydrophobic silica having a methyl group and a hydrophobic titanium oxide on the surface of the toner particle.
  • the recording medium is not particularly limited and, for example, a paper, a cloth, a plastic film such as an OHP sheet having a liquid penetrating layer, can be provided.
  • the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner comprises dialkyloxyalkylaliphatic dicarboxylate.
  • the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner may be a liquid particle, a liquid gel particle, or a particle of semi-solid such as a wax.
  • the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner is liquid, its viscosity is preferably 1 mPa ⁇ second or greater and 100Pa ⁇ second or less.
  • the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) is a dispersing medium of liquid in which the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner is dispersed.
  • “nonaqueous” means that the solubility thereof in water at room temperature (20 °C) is 0.1 % by weight or less.
  • the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) has a sufficient affinity with a particle of water-repellently treated toner.
  • affinity means the degree of extensional wetting of liquid on the surface of a solid when the liquid contacts the solid.
  • the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) indicates a sufficient wettability to a water-repellently treated toner.
  • the surface of the toner that have been water-repellently treated with a hydrophobic fine particle such as a hydrophobic silica particle and a hydrophobic titanium oxide particle is covered with a methyl group of the hydrophobic silica particle or the hydrophobic titanium oxide particle and has a surface energy of approximately 20 mN/m. Since the whole surface of the water-repellently treated toner is not completely covered with a hydrophobic fine particle, the surface energy of the water-repellently treated toner is guessed to be approximately 20 mN/m through 30 mN/m.
  • the surface tension of the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) is 20 mN/m through 30 mN/m.
  • a fluorine-containing oil, a paraffinic oil, an olefinic oil, a silicone-based oil can be provided.
  • the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner is not dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent but is dispersed in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B).
  • a dispersing agent may be used for dispersing the particle containing the component (material A) in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B).
  • the dispersing agent is a surface active agent with a HLB (hydrophile - lipophile balance) value of 5 or less.
  • HLB value hydrophile - lipophile balance
  • HLB value 20 ⁇ (the molecular weight of a hydrophilic group of a surface active agent)/(the molecular weight of the surface active agent), which is known as Griffin formula.
  • a material containing the component (material A) is mixed into the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) and the obtained mixture is mechanically stirred or vibration is applied to the obtained mixture.
  • a fixing liquid according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be obtained.
  • a mechanically stirring device such as homomixer and homogenizer and a vibrating device such as an ultrasonic homogenizer can be provided.
  • a weakly stirring device such as a homomixer is used in order to make the particle diameter of a particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner be 0.1 ⁇ m or greater and 6 ⁇ m or less.
  • a fixing liquid capable of fixing toner on a recording medium more efficiently can be provided.
  • a defect on an image formed by toner provided on a recording medium can be reduced which defect can be produced at the time of providing the fixing liquid to the toner provided on the recording medium.
  • the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner is not dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent but the particle containing the component (material A) is dispersed in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B). Therefore, the probability becomes higher that the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner does not permeate into a recording medium nor penetrate through the recording medium but contacts the toner provided on the recording medium while the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) permeates into a recording medium or penetrates through the recording medium.
  • the component (material A) contained in the particle since the probability becomes higher that the component (material A) contained in the particle does not permeate into the recording medium nor penetrate through the recording medium but acts on the toner provided on the recording medium, the component (material A) can be effectively acted on the toner provided on the recording medium. Accordingly, the toner provided on the recording medium can be fixed more speedily and, as a result, the fixation responsibility of the toner provided on the recording medium can be improved. Also, the quantity of the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner can be reduced. Further, the waste with respect to the consumption of the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner can be reduced.
  • the particle is liquid.
  • the fixing liquid is an emulsion in which the liquid particle is dispersed in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B).
  • the liquid particle containing the component (material A) acts the toner provided on the recording medium more easily and the toner provided on the recording medium can be fixed more speedily.
  • the particle is composed of a single phase containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner.
  • the fixing liquid is a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion in which an aqueous particle is dispersed in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B).
  • W/O water-in-oil
  • the fixing liquid is an oil-in-oil (O/O) emulsion in which a nonaqueous particle is dispersed in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B).
  • the particle composed of a single phase containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner may be, for example, a particle composed of the component (material A), which particle is insoluble in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B).
  • the component (material A) is usually soluble in water.
  • the particle When the particle is composed of a single phase containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner and the component (material A) is a material that is insoluble in a nonaqueous medium, the particle containing the component (material A) can be stably dispersed in the nonaqueous medium (material B).
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating one example of a fixing liquid according to the present invention.
  • a fixing liquid 30 shown in FIG. 3 contains a nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) 31 and particles 32 which is insoluble in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) 31 and are composed of a single phase containing a component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of a resin contained in toner.
  • the particles 32 are dispersed in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) 31.
  • the particles 32 are composed of only the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner.
  • the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) 31 may be, for example, an n-alkane, dimethyl silicone, or an ⁇ -olefinic solvent, and the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner may be, for example, an aliphatic ester which is insoluble in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) 31.
  • the fixing liquid 30 may contain a dispersing agent, such as a surface active agent, which stably disperses the particles 32 in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) 31.
  • the particle contains the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of a resin contained in toner and a solvent or dispersing medium (material C) for dissolving or dispersing the component (material A).
  • the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of a resin contained in toner and the solvent or dispersing medium (material C) for dissolving or dispersing the component (material A) may be, for example, a particle containing the component (material A) and a solvent for dissolving the component (material A) or a particle containing the component (material A) and a dispersing medium for dispersing the component (material A).
  • the solvent or dispersing medium (material C) for dissolving or dispersing the component (material A) is a liquid which is insoluble in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B).
  • the liquid which is insoluble in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) is a liquid of which the solubility in a nonaqueous medium at room temperature (20 °C) is 0.1 % by weight or less.
  • the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of a resin contained in toner may be a material which is soluble in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) or a material which is insoluble in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B).
  • the particle contains the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of a resin contained in toner and the solvent or dispersing medium (material C) for dissolving or dispersing the component (material A)
  • the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of a resin contained in toner can be stably dispersed in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) even if the component (material A) is either of the material which is soluble in a nonaqueous medium or the material which is insoluble in a nonaqueous medium.
  • the concentration of the component (material A) can be adjusted by a solvent for dissolving a component capable of dissolving at least one portion of a resin contained in toner and, therefore, the dissolution or swelling of at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner can be controlled in more detail.
  • the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of a resin contained in toner is usually aqueous
  • the fixing liquid is an water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion in which an aqueous particle is dispersed in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B).
  • the particle contains the component (material A) can be adjusted by a solvent for dissolving a component capable of dissolving at least one portion of a resin contained in toner and a dispersing medium for dispersing the component (material A), the component (material A) is usually insoluble in the dispersing medium for dispersing the component (material A), and is dispersed in such a dispersing medium using a dispersing agent such as a surface active agent.
  • the component (material A) can be adjusted by a solvent for dissolving a component capable of dissolving at least one portion of a resin contained in toner is nonaqueous and the dispersing medium for dispersing the component (material A) is aqueous.
  • the fixing liquid is an oil/water/oil (O/W/O) type emulsion in which an aqueous particle is dispersed in the nonaqueous medium (material B) and, in the aqueous particle, the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of a resin contained in a nonaqueous toner is dispersed in an aqueous dispersing medium.
  • O/W/O oil/water/oil
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another example of a fixing liquid according to the present invention.
  • a fixing liquid 40 shown in FIG. 4 contains a nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) 41 and particles 44 containing a component 42 (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of a resin contained in toner and a solvent or dispersing medium (material C) 43 for dissolving or dispersing the component (material A).
  • the solvent or dispersing medium (material C) 43 for dissolving or dispersing the component 42 (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner is insoluble in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) 41.
  • the particles 44 containing the component (material A) 42 and the solvent or dispersing medium (material C) 43 for dissolving or dispersing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner are dispersed in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) 41.
  • the particle 44 may be composed of the component 42 (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner and a solvent 43 for dissolving the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner, or may be composed of the component 42 (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner and a dispersing medium 43 for dispersing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner.
  • the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) 41 may be, for example, an n-alkane, dimethyl silicone, or ⁇ -olefinic solvent.
  • the component 42 (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner may be, for example, either an aliphatic ester which is soluble in the dispersing medium (material B) 41 or an aliphatic ester which is insoluble in the dispersing medium (material B) 41.
  • the solvent or dispersing medium (material C) 43 for dissolving or dispersing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner, which solvent or dispersing medium is insoluble in the dispersing medium (material B) 41 may be water.
  • the fixing liquid 40 may contain a dispersing agent, such as a surface active agent, for stably dispersing the particles 44 in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) 41.
  • the particle 44 may contain a dispersing agent, such as a surface active agent, in order to stably disperse the component (material A) 42 capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner, in the solvent or dispersing medium (material C) 43 for dissolving or dispersing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner.
  • the volume average particle diameter of the particle is 0.3 ⁇ m or greater.
  • the probability becomes higher that while when the fixing liquid according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided to a recording medium on which the toner has been provided the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) permeates into the recording medium or penetrates through the recording medium, the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner does not pass among the toner particles provided on the recording medium nor permeate into the recording medium nor penetrate through the recording medium but adheres to the toner particle provided on the recording medium or adheres to the surface of the recording medium.
  • the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner acts on the toner provided on the recording medium
  • the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner can be acted on the toner provided on the recording medium more efficiently. Accordingly, the toner provided on the recording medium can be fixed more speedily and, as a result, the fixation responsibility of the toner provided on the recording medium can be improved.
  • the quantity of the component capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner can be more reduced. Further, the waste with respect to the consumption of the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner can be more reduced.
  • the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner does not pass among the toner particles provided on the recording medium.
  • the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner which particle is dispersed in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) of the fixing liquid is usually aqueous and has surface tension of 30 mN/m and the particle is repelled by the water-repellently treated toner and the particle diameter of the particle is greater than the space among the toner particles provided on the recording medium.
  • the volume average particle diameter of the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner is less than 0.3 ⁇ m and the fixing liquid according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided to a recording medium on which the toner is provided, the probability becomes higher that the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner pass among the toner particles provided on the recording medium, permeates into the recoding medium or penetrates through the recording medium, with the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) of the fixing liquid.
  • the volume average particle diameter of the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner can be measured by, for example, laser light diffraction and scattering method (For example, the measurement at a wavelength of 780 nm and temperature at 25 °C in an apparatus of Microtrac Inc.).
  • the volume average particle diameter of the particle is 6 ⁇ m or less.
  • the volume average particle diameter of the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner is 6 ⁇ m or less and the fixing liquid according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided to a recording medium on which the toner is provided, the toner provided on the recording medium does not too be dissolved or swelled and disturbance on an image formed by the toner provided on the recording medium can be reduced.
  • the volume average particle diameter of the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner is greater than 6 ⁇ and the fixing liquid according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided to a recording medium on which the toner is provided, the toner provided on the recording medium may be too dissolved or swelled and liquefied toner may permeate into the recording medium, so that disturbance (bleeding) of an image formed by the toner provided on the recording medium may be caused.
  • the volume average particle diameter of the particle is smaller than the volume average particle diameter of the toner particle provided on the recording medium.
  • the volume average particle diameter of the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner is larger than the volume average particle diameter of the toner particle, there is a possibility that the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner is not uniformly provided to the toner particle provided on the recording medium.
  • the volume average particle diameter of the toner particle can be obtained, for example, by irradiating a plurality of toner particles on the recording medium with laser and from the wavelength of the laser light and the average value of diffraction angle of laser light diffracted by the toner particles.
  • the content of the particle contained in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) is 0.5 % by weight or greater and 50 % by weight or less. More preferably, the content of the particle contained in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) is 1 % by weight or greater and 10 % by weight or less.
  • the content of the particle contained in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) is less than 0.5 % by weight, at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner may not be able to be sufficiently dissolved or swelled and there is a possibility that the toner may not be able to be sufficiently fixed on the recording medium. Also, when the content of the particle contained in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) is greater than 50 % by weight, at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner may be too dissolved or swelled and the fluidity of the toner may not be able to be lowered over a prolonged period of time. Therefore, there is a possibility that a layer of the toner to which the fixing liquid is provided has stickiness.
  • the content of the particle contained in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) is 0.5 % by weight or greater and 50 % by weight or less, at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner can be moderately dissolved or swelled and the toner can be fixed on the recording medium well.
  • the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner includes an aliphatic ester comprising dialkoxyalkyl aliphatic dicarboxylate.
  • the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner includes an aliphatic ester since the aliphatic ester is excellent in the dissolution property or swelling property thereof for dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner.
  • the acute oral toxicity LD 50 thereof is greater than 3 g/kg, from the viewpoint of safety for a human body.
  • the safety of the aliphatic ester to a human body is high so that it is frequently used as a raw material for a cosmetic.
  • the fixation of toner onto a recording medium is conducted in an instrument which is frequently used in a closed environment and the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner remains in the toner even after the fixation of the toner on the recording medium, it is preferable that the fixation of the toner onto the recording medium involves no generation of a volatile organic compound (VOC) or unpleasant odor. That is, it is preferable that the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner contains no volatile organic compound (VOC) or no material which causes the generation of unpleasant odor.
  • VOC volatile organic compound
  • the aliphatic ester has a high boiling point and a low volatility and has no irritating odor, compared to a commonly used organic solvent (toluene, xylene, methyl ethyl ketone). Also, the aliphatic ester has an advantage of causing no contamination of water quality.
  • an odor intensity index (10 ⁇ log (dilute strength of a substance at which the odor of the material cannot be sensed)) from a triangle odor bag method that is a sensory measurement can be an index of odor intensity.
  • the odor intensity index of the aliphatic ester contained in the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner is 10 or less. In this case, unpleasant odor is not sensed in a usual office environment.
  • the odor intensity index of the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) is preferably 7 or less, more preferably, 3 or less.
  • the aliphatic ester includes a saturated aliphatic ester.
  • the preservation stability (the resistance to oxidation, hydrolysis) of the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner can be improved.
  • the safety of the saturated aliphatic ester to a human body is high and many of the saturated aliphatic esters can dissolve or swell the resin contained in the toner within one second.
  • the saturated aliphatic ester can reduce the stickiness of the toner provided on the recording medium. This is because the saturated aliphatic ester forms an oil film on the surface of the dissolved or swelled toner.
  • the aliphatic ester includes a dialkoxyalkyl aliphatic dicarboxylate.
  • the fixation property of the toner on a recording medium can be improved.
  • the dialkoxyalkyl aliphatic dicarboxylate includes a compound represented by a general formula, R 5 (COOR 6 -O-R 7 ) 2 , in which R 5 is an alkylene group with a carbon number of 2 or greater and 8 or less, R 6 is an alkylene group with a carbon number of 2 or greater and 4 or less, and R 7 is an alkyl group with a carbon number of 1 or greater and 4 or less.
  • dialkoxyalkyl aliphatic dicarboxylate includes a compound represented by a general formula, R 5 (COOR 6 -O-R 7 ) 2 , in which R 5 is an alkylene group with a carbon number of 2 or greater and 8 or less, R 6 is an alkylene group with a carbon number of 2 or greater and 4 or less, and R 7 is an alkyl group with a carbon number of 1 or greater and 4 or less, the dissolution property or swelling property thereof for the resin contained in the toner can be improved.
  • the odor intensity index of the aforementioned compound is 10 or less and the aforementioned compound has no unpleasant odor or no irritating odor.
  • dialkoxyalkyl aliphatic dicarboxylate which is the aforementioned compound
  • diethoxyethyl succinate, dibutoxyethyl succinate, diethoxyethyl adipate, dibutoxyethyl adipate, diethoxyethyl sebacate can be provided.
  • Many of these dialkoxyalkyl aliphatic dicarboxylates which are the aforementioned compounds are slightly soluble in water (slightly aqueous).
  • the fixing liquid according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be obtained by directly dispersing the dialkoxyalkyl aliphatic dicarboxylate which is the aforementioned compound as a particle in a nonaqueous medium. That is, as shown in FIG. 3 , a fixing liquid can be obtained in which liquid an aqueous particle is dispersed in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) which particle contains the dialkoxyalkyl aliphatic dicarboxylate as the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner.
  • the fixing liquid according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be also obtained by dissolving or dispersing the dialkoxyalkyl aliphatic dicarboxylate which is the aforementioned compound in water so as to prepare an aqueous dispersion system and by dispersing the aqueous dispersion system as a particle in a nonaqueous medium. That is, as shown in FIG. 4 , a fixing liquid may be obtained in which liquid an aqueous particle is dispersed in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) in which particle the dialkoxyalkyl aliphatic dicarboxylate as the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner is dissolved or dispersed in water.
  • the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) includes an n-alkane.
  • the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) includes an n-alkane
  • it has a high affinity with, particularly, water-repellently treated toner, and the water-repellently treated toner can be significantly wetted. That is, the n-alkane which is a paraffinic solvent has a low surface tension of 25 mN/m or less and has a high affinity with the water-repellently treated toner.
  • the fixing liquid according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided to the water-repellently treated toner on the recording medium, the disturbance on an image formed by the water-repellently treated toner can be reduced.
  • the inventors have confirmed that, at least, decane, dodecane, undecane, and tridecane among n-alkanes have low volatilities and when a liquid drop of a fixing liquid containing any of these n-alkanes as the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) is provided to a layer of the water-repellently treated toner, the disturbance of the toner layer is seldom caused.
  • the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) includes a dimethyl silicone.
  • the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) includes a dimethyl silicone
  • the dimethyl silicone which is a silicone-based solvent has a low surface tension of approximately 20 mN/m and has a high affinity with the water-repellently treated toner.
  • a fixing liquid containing a dimethyl silicone as the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) can be a fixing liquid having a safety to a human body and no odor.
  • the inventors have confirmed that a dimethyl silicone having a viscosity of 3 mPa ⁇ second or greater has a low volatility and when a liquid drop of a fixing liquid containing a dimethyl silicone as the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) is provided to a layer of the water-repellently treated toner, the disturbance of the toner layer is seldom caused.
  • the fixing liquid according to the above-described first embodiment of the present invention is provided to the toner containing a resin on the recording medium so as to fix the toner containing a resin on the recording medium.
  • the toner fixing method which can fix a toner on a recording medium more efficiently can be provided as described above.
  • FIGs. 5A through 5D are diagrams illustrating a specific example of a toner fixing method used in the present invention.
  • a fixing liquid 53 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided to water-repellent toner 52 transcribed on a recording medium 51 using a proper fixing liquid providing device such as an ink jet nozzle and a spray gun.
  • the fixing liquid 53 contains liquid particles 55 which contain a nonaqueous dispersing medium 54 having a high affinity with the water-repellent toner 52 and a component (material A) for dissolving or swelling at least one portion of a resin contained in the toner which component is dispersed in the nonaqueous dispersing medium 54.
  • the fixing liquid 54 contacts the recording medium 51 and the water-repellent toner 52 transcribed on the recording medium 51, the water-repellent toner 52 is not repelled by the fixing liquid 53 and the disturbance of a layer of water-repellent toner 52 transcribed on the recording medium 51 is seldom caused since the fixing liquid 53 mainly contains the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) 54 having a high affinity with the water-repellent toner 52. Then, the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) 54 and the liquid particles 55 which are contained in the fixing liquid 53 extends on the recording medium 51 and the layer of water-repellent toner 52 transcribed on the recording medium 51.
  • the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) 54 contained in the fixing liquid 53 passes through the space in the water-repellent toner 52 and permeates into the recording medium 51, the liquid particles 55 contained in the fixing liquid 53 do not pass among the space in the layer of water-repellent toner 52 or penetrate through the recording medium 51 but are trapped on the surfaces of the layer of water-repellent toner 52 and recording medium 51.
  • the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) 54 passes among the space in the layer of water-repellent toner 52 and permeates into the recording medium 51, the content of the liquid particles 55 contained in the fixing liquid 53, that is, the concentration of the component (material A) for dissolving or swelling at least one portion of a resin contained in the toner increases.
  • the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) 54 sufficiently permeates into the recording medium 51
  • the plural liquid particles 55 combine to each other and form a liquid layer 56 which contains the component (material A) for dissolving or swelling at least one portion of a resin contained in the toner.
  • the component (material A) for dissolving or swelling at least one portion of a resin contained in the toner, which component is contained in the liquid layer 56, rapidly dissolves or swells the water-repellent toner 52.
  • the layer of water-repellent toner 52 becomes like a film and fixes on the recording medium 51.
  • the concentration of the component (material A) for dissolving or swelling at least one portion of a resin contained in the toner, in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) 54 is low, the concentration of the component (material A) for dissolving or swelling at least one portion of a resin contained in the toner becomes high on the surface of the toner layer while the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) permeates into the recording medium. Therefore, the content of the component (material A) for dissolving or swelling at least one portion of a resin contained in the toner, in the fixing liquid, can be reduced.
  • the content of the component (material A) for dissolving or swelling at least one portion of a resin contained in the toner does not permeate into the recording medium. Accordingly, the component (material A) for dissolving or swelling at least one portion of a resin contained in the toner is not wastefully consumed. Further, since the component (material A) for dissolving or swelling at least one portion of a resin contained in the toner contacts the toner layer at a high concentration, the fixation responsibility of the toner to the recording medium can be increased compared to a fixing liquid in which the component (material A) for dissolving or swelling at least one portion of a resin contained in the toner is dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent.
  • the toner fixing method used in the present invention of fixing a toner containing a resin on a recording medium wherein a fixing liquid containing a component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner is used in which liquid a particle having a particle diameter such that the particle does not penetrate through the recording medium is dispersed in a nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B).
  • a fixing liquid containing a component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner is used in which liquid a particle having a particle diameter such that the particle does not penetrate through the recording medium is dispersed in a nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B).
  • the toner fixing method used in the present invention which can fix a toner on a recording medium more efficiently can be provided as described above.
  • the fixing liquid is provided to the toner containing a resin on the recording medium so as to fix the toner containing a resin on the recording medium in which liquid a particle is dispersed in the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) which particle contains the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner and has a particle diameter such that the particle does not penetrate through a recording medium.
  • the structures and effects of the toner containing a resin, the recording medium, the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner, the particle, the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B), the dispersion, etc. are similar to those described above, except the particle diameter of the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner.
  • the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner has a particle diameter such that the particle does not penetrate through the recording medium.
  • the particle diameter of the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner is a volume average particle diameter thereof.
  • the volume average particle diameter of the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner can be measured by, for example, laser light diffraction and scattering method (For example, the measurement at a wavelength of 780 nm and temperature at 25 °C in an apparatus of Microtrac Inc.).
  • the particle containing the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner, having a particle diameter such that the particle does not penetrate through a recording medium means that, the particle containing the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner, has a particle diameter such that the particle does not pass through the space in the recording medium, that is, a particle larger than the size of the space in the recording medium.
  • the caliber of the capillary that corresponds to the size of the space in the recording medium is approximately 2 ⁇ m for a woodfree paper or approximately 0.1 ⁇ m for a coated paper. Therefore, when the recording medium is a woodfree paper, it is preferable that the particle diameter of the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner is greater than approximately 2 ⁇ m. Also, when the recording medium is a coated paper, it is preferable that the particle diameter of the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner is greater than approximately 0.1 ⁇ m.
  • the particle containing component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner has a particle diameter such that the particle does not penetrate through a recording medium and the fixing liquid is provided on a recording medium on which the toner is provided
  • the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner can be trapped on the surface of the recording medium on which toner is provided, while the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) permeates into the recording medium or penetrates through the recording medium.
  • the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner can be acted on the toner provided on the recording medium more sufficiently.
  • the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner can be effectively acted on the toner provided on the recording medium. Accordingly, the toner provided on the recording medium can be fixed more speedily and, as a result, the fixation responsibility of the toner provided on the recording medium can be improved. Also, the quantity of the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner can be reduced. Further, the waste with respect to the consumption of the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner can be reduced.
  • the particle has a particle diameter equal to or less than an average particle diameter of the toner.
  • the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner has a particle diameter equal to or less than an average particle diameter of the toner.
  • the average particle diameter of the toner is the volume average particle diameter thereof and can be obtained, for example, by irradiating a plurality of toner particles on the recording medium with laser and from the wavelength of the laser light and the average value of diffraction angle of laser light diffracted by the toner particles.
  • the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner has a particle diameter equal to or less than an average particle diameter of the toner and the fixing liquid is provided to a recording medium on which toner is provided, it can be reduced to excessively dissolve or swell the toner provided on the recording medium and it can be reduced for liquefied toner to permeate into the recording medium and to cause the disturbance of an image (bleeding) formed by the toner provided on the recording medium. That is, the image formed by the toner can be fixed on the recording medium well. Also, the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner can be uniformly provided to the toner provided on the recording medium.
  • the particle diameter (volume average particle diameter) of the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner is preferably greater than the size of the space among particles of the toner provided on the recording medium.
  • FIGs. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating the sizes of the space among particles of toner provided on a recording medium.
  • FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating the size of the space among the toner particles arranging in a plane in a body-centered cubic structure
  • FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating the size of the space among the toner particles arranging in a plane in a cubic closest packed structure.
  • the size of the space among particles of the toner provided on the recording medium depends on the arrangement of the particles of the toner provided on the recording medium.
  • the particles of the toner are spherical.
  • the diameter of a minimum inscribed circle 62 for four toner particles 61 in a space surrounded by the four toner particles 61 is equal to (( ⁇ 2)-1) ⁇ (diameter of toner particle). Also, as shown in FIG.
  • the diameter of a minimum inscribed circle 62 for three toner particles 61 in a space surrounded by the three toner particles 61 is equal to (2/( ⁇ 3)-1) ⁇ (diameter of toner particle).
  • these diameters of a minimum inscribed circle for toner particles in the space among them can be used.
  • the diameter of a toner particle is 5 ⁇ m through 10 ⁇ m.
  • the diameter of a minimum inscribed circle 62 for four toner particles 61 in a space surrounded by the four toner particles 61, as a size of the space among particles of the toner provided on the recording medium is approximately 2 ⁇ m through 4 ⁇ m.
  • the diameter of a minimum inscribed circle 62 for three toner particles 61 in a space surrounded by the three toner particles 61, as a size of the space among particles of the toner provided on the recording medium, is approximately 0.3 ⁇ m through 0.7 ⁇ m.
  • the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner has a particle diameter greater than the size of the space among the toner particles and the fixing liquid is provided to the toner provided on the recording medium
  • the particle containing the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner can be trapped on the toner provided on the recording medium, while the nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) passes through the space among the toner particles and permeates into the recording medium or penetrates through the recording medium.
  • the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner can be acted on the toner provided on the recording medium more sufficiently.
  • the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner can be effectively acted on the toner provided on the recording medium. Accordingly, the toner provided on the recording medium can be fixed more speedily and, as a result, the fixation responsibility of the toner provided on the recording medium can be improved. Also, the quantity of the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner can be reduced. Further, the waste with respect to the consumption of the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner can be reduced.
  • the second embodiment of the present invention is a toner fixing apparatus configured to fix a toner containing a resin on a recording medium, according to the present invention.
  • a toner fixing apparatus can be provided which can fix a toner on a recording medium more efficiently, as described above.
  • a toner fixing apparatus includes, for example, a fixing liquid container for storing the fixing liquid according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and a proper fixing liquid providing device for providing the fixing liquid to unfixed toner provided on a recording medium, such as a liquid drop flight device, which may include a spray gun or an ink jet nozzle.
  • the toner fixing apparatus may include a pair of smoothing rollers (hard rollers) for pressurizing toner dissolved or swelled by the component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner, after the fixing liquid according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided to the toner.
  • the surface of a layer of the dissolved or swelled toner can be smoothed so as to provide the toner with the luster thereof.
  • the fixation property of the toner on the recording medium can be improved by forcing the dissolved or swelled toner to the recording medium.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a toner fixing apparatus according to the present invention.
  • the toner fixing apparatus shown in FIG. 7 includes a fixing liquid container 72 for storing fixing liquid 71, a fixing liquid providing device 75 for providing the fixing liquid 71 to toner 74 transcribed on a recording medium 73, such as a spray gun, a conveyance roller 76 for conveying the recording medium 73 on which the toner 74 is provided, and a pair of smoothing rollers 78 for pressurizing toner 77 dissolved or swelled by the fixing liquid 71.
  • the recording medium 73 on which the toner 74 is provided is conveyed by the conveyance roller 76 and the fixing liquid 71 stored in the fixing liquid container 72 is provided to the toner 74 on the recording medium 73 by the fixing liquid providing device 75.
  • the fixing liquid 71 is provided to the toner 74 on the recording medium 73
  • the toner is dissolved or swelled by a component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner, which component is contained in the fixing liquid 71.
  • the toner 77 dissolved or swelled by the fixing liquid 71 is further conveyed with the recording medium 73 by the conveyance roller 76.
  • the toner 77 dissolved or swelled by the fixing liquid 71 is pressurized by a pair of the smoothing rollers 78 and fixed as fixed toner 79 on the recording medium 73.
  • FIGs. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating specific examples of the image forming method and image forming apparatus used in the present invention.
  • Fig. 8A is a diagram illustrating an color-electrophotographic tandem-type image forming apparatus, which may be a copying machine or a printer, and
  • FIG. 8B illustrates one of image forming units of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 8A .
  • the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B includes an intermediary transcription belt 101 as a toner image carrier.
  • the intermediary transcription belt 101 is tensioned and extends on three supporting rollers 102, 103 and 104, and rotates clockwise.
  • Respective image forming units 105K, 105Y, 105M and 105C for black, yellow, magenta and cyan are arranged for the intermediary transcription belt 101.
  • light-exposure devices which are not shown in the figure are arranged.
  • image information for an original copy is read using a scanner and light L is emitted from the light-exposure device in order to write an electrostatic latent image on each photoconductor drum 106 depending on the image information.
  • a secondary transcription device 107 is provided at a location such that it opposes the supporting roller 104 for the intermediary transcription belt 101.
  • the secondary transcription device 107 includes a secondary transcription belt 110 which is tensioned and extends on two supporting rollers 108 and 109.
  • a transcription roller as well as the transcription belt may be used for the secondary transcription device 107.
  • a belt cleaning device 111 is arranged at a location such that it opposes the supporting roller 102 through the intermediary transcription belt 101. The belt cleaning device 111 is arranged to eliminate toner remaining on the intermediary transcription belt 101.
  • a recording paper 112 as a recording medium is guided to a secondary transcription part by a pair of paper feeding rollers 113, and a toner image is transcribed by forcing the secondary transcription belt 110 on the intermediary transcription belt 101 when the toner image is transcribed on the recording paper 112.
  • the recording paper 112 on which the toner image is transcribed is conveyed by the secondary transcription belt 110 and the unfixed toner image transcribed on the recording paper 112 is fixed using a toner fixing apparatus 119 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. That is, a fixing liquid according to the first embodiment of the present invention supplied from the toner fixing apparatus 119 is provided to the unfixed toner image transcribed on the recording paper 112, and the unfixed toner image is fixed on the recording paper 112 by a component (material A) capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner, which component is contained in the fixing liquid.
  • a component material A
  • a charging device 114, a developing device 115, a cleaning device 116 and a charge eliminating device 117 are arranged around the photoconductor drum 106 for the image forming unit. Also, a primary transcription device 118 is arranged so that it opposes the photoconductor drum 106 through the intermediary transcription belt 101.
  • the charging device 114 is a charging device according to a contact charging method which uses a charging roller.
  • the charging device 114 uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor drum 106 by contacting the charging roller with the photoconductor drum 106 and applying a voltage to the photoconductor drum 106.
  • a charging device according to a non-contact charging method which uses a non-contact scorotron, etc., can be also used.
  • the developing device 115 makes toner in developer adhere to an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 106 so that the electrostatic latent image is visualized.
  • toner corresponding to each color is composed of a resin material colored with each color and the resin material can be dissolved or swelled by the fixing liquid according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the developing device 115 includes an agitation part and developing part which are not shown in the figure and developer which has not been used for development returns to the agitation part and is recycled.
  • the concentration of the toner in the agitation part is detected by a toner concentration sensor and the agitation part is controlled so that the concentration of the toner is constant.
  • the primary transcription device 118 transcribes the toner visualized on the photoconductor drum 106 to the intermediary transcription belt 101.
  • a transcription roller is employed and the transcription roller is forced on the photoconductor drum 106 through the intermediary transcription belt 101.
  • an electrically conductive brush, a non-contact corona charger, etc. can be also used.
  • the cleaning device 116 eliminates unwanted toner on the photoconductor drum 106.
  • a blade with an end which is forced on the photoconductor drum 106 can be used.
  • the toner collected by the cleaning device 116 is collected into and recycled in the developing device 115 by a collecting screw and toner recycle device which are not shown in the figure.
  • the charge eliminating device 117 is composed of a lamp and initialize the surface electric potential of the photoconductor drum 106 by light irradiation.
  • liquid for softening toner in the practical examples and comparative examples means liquid for dissolving or swelling at least one portion of a resin contained in toner.
  • the obtained fixing liquid was spray-applied on a PPC paper on which an unfixed toner image was formed, without heating a fixing part of the fixing apparatus. Then, the surface of the image was rubbed with a waste after 5 seconds, 10 seconds, and 20 seconds, and the degree of toner fixation on the PPC paper was evaluated based on the presence or absence of adhesion of the toner to the waste.
  • the toner did not adhere to the waste even after 5 seconds and the toner had fixed on the PPC paper.
  • the odor intensity index of diethoxyethyl succinate was 1
  • the odor intensity index of dimethylsiloxane was 0,
  • the odor intensity of the fixing liquid was 0. Additionally, no unpleasant od or generated in a laboratory at the time of fixation of the toner image. Further, as an image portion of the fixed toner was observed using an optical microscope, there was no disturbance on a layer of the fixed toner and a good layer of the fixed toner was observed on the PPC paper.
  • the obtained fixing liquid was spray-applied on a PPC paper on which an unfixed toner image was formed, without heating a fixing part of the fixing apparatus. Then, the surface of the image was rubbed with a waste after 5 seconds, 10 seconds, and 20 seconds, and the degree of toner fixation on the PPC paper was evaluated based on the presence or absence of adhesion of the toner to the waste.
  • a mixture of 7 % by weight of diethoxyethyl succinate (LD 50 5 g/kg) as liquid for softening toner, 92 % by weight of water, and 1 % by weight of a nonionic surface active agent was stirred using a stirrer, so that a fixing liquid was prepared in which diethoxyethyl succinate was dissolved in water.
  • LD 50 5 g/kg
  • the obtained fixing liquid was spray-applied on a PPC paper on which an unfixed toner image was formed, without heating a fixing part of the fixing apparatus. Then, the surface of the image was rubbed with a waste after 5 seconds, 10 seconds, and 20 seconds, and the degree of toner fixation on the PPC paper was evaluated based on the presence or absence of adhesion of the toner to the waste.
  • the obtained fixing liquid was spray-applied on a PPC paper on which an unfixed toner image was formed, without heating a fixing part of the fixing apparatus. Then, the surface of the image was rubbed with a waste after 5 seconds, 10 seconds, and 20 seconds, and the degree of toner fixation on the PPC paper was evaluated based on the presence or absence of adhesion of the toner to the waste.
  • the toner did not adhere to the waste even after 5 seconds and the toner had fixed on the PPC paper.
  • the odor intensity index of diethoxyethyl succinate was 1
  • the odor intensity index of n-dodecane was 0,
  • the odor intensity of the fixing liquid was 0. Additionally, no unpleasant odor generated in a laboratory at the time of fixation of the toner image. Further, as an image portion of the fixed toner was observed using an optical microscope, there was no disturbance on a layer of the fixed toner and a good layer of the fixed toner was observed on the PPC paper.
  • a mixture of 10 % by weight of diisobutyl adipate (LD 50 12.3 g/kg) as liquid for softening toner and 90 % by weight of n-dodecane (viscosity: 1 mPa ⁇ s, LD 50 > 5 g/kg) as a nonaqueous solvent was stirred using a stirrer, so that a fixing liquid was prepared in which diisobutyl adipate was dissolved in n-dodecane.
  • LD 50 12.3 g/kg
  • n-dodecane viscosity: 1 mPa ⁇ s, LD 50 > 5 g/kg
  • the obtained fixing liquid was spray-applied on a PPC paper on which an unfixed toner image was formed, without heating a fixing part of the fixing apparatus. Then, the surface of the image was rubbed with a waste after 5 seconds, 10 seconds, and 20 seconds, and the degree of toner fixation on the PPC paper was evaluated based on the presence or absence of adhesion of the toner to the waste.
  • the obtained fixing liquid was spray-applied on a PPC paper on which an unfixed toner image was formed, without heating a fixing part of the fixing apparatus. Then, the surface of the image was rubbed with a waste after 5 seconds, 10 seconds, and 20 seconds, and the degree of toner fixation on the PPC paper was evaluated based on the presence or absence of adhesion of the toner to the waste.
  • the toner did not adhere to the waste even after 5 seconds and the toner had fixed on the PPC paper.
  • the odor intensity index of ethyl laurate was 13
  • the odor intensity index of the dimethyl silicone oil was 0
  • the odor intensity of the fixing liquid was 10. Additionally, no unpleasant odor generated in a laboratory at the time of fixation of the toner image. Further, as an image portion of the fixed toner was observed using an optical microscope, there was no disturbance on a layer of the fixed toner and a good layer of the fixed toner was observed on the PPC paper.
  • the obtained fixing liquid was spray-applied on a PPC paper on which an unfixed toner image was formed, without heating a fixing part of the fixing apparatus. Then, the surface of the image was rubbed with a waste after 5 seconds, 10 seconds, and 20 seconds, and the degree of toner fixation on the PPC paper was evaluated based on the presence or absence of adhesion of the toner to the waste.
  • a mixture of 30 % by weight of dibutyl sebacate (LD 50 14.9 g/kg) as liquid for softening toner, 69 % by weight of water, and 1 % by weight of a nonionic surface active agent was stirred using a homogenizer, so that an O/W type emulsion liquid was prepared in which dibutyl sebacate was dispersed in water.
  • LD 50 14.9 g/kg
  • the obtained fixing liquid was spray-applied on a PPC paper on which an unfixed toner image was formed, without heating a fixing part of the fixing apparatus. Then, the surface of the image was rubbed with a waste after 5 seconds, 10 seconds, and 20 seconds, and the degree of toner fixation on the PPC paper was evaluated based on the presence or absence of adhesion of the toner to the waste.
  • the toner did not adhere to the waste even after 5 seconds and the toner had fixed on the PPC paper.
  • the odor intensity index of dibutyl sebacate was 13
  • the odor intensity index of n-dodecane was 0
  • the odor intensity of the fixing liquid was 10. Additionally, no unpleasant odor generated in a laboratory at the time of fixation of the toner image. Further, as an image portion of the fixed toner was observed using an optical microscope, there was no disturbance on a layer of the fixed toner and a good layer of the fixed toner was observed on the PPC paper.
  • a mixture of 30 % by weight of diisobutyl adipate (LD 50 12.3 g/kg) as liquid for softening toner, 69 % by weight of water, and 1 % by weight of a nonionic surface active agent was stirred using a homogenizer, so that an O/W type emulsion liquid was prepared in which diisobutyl adipate was dispersed in water.
  • LD 50 12.3 g/kg
  • the obtained fixing liquid was spray-applied on a PPC paper on which an unfixed toner image was formed, without heating a fixing part of the fixing apparatus. Then, the surface of the image was rubbed with a waste after 5 seconds, 10 seconds, and 20 seconds, and the degree of toner fixation on the PPC paper was evaluated based on the presence or absence of adhesion of the toner to the waste.
  • the toner did not adhere to the waste even after 5 seconds and the toner had fixed on the PPC paper.
  • the odor intensity index of diisobutyl adipate was 13
  • the odor intensity index of n-undecane was 0
  • the odor intensity of the fixing liquid was 10. Additionally, no unpleasant odor generated in a laboratory at the time of fixation of the toner image. Further, as an image portion of the fixed toner was observed using an optical microscope, there was no disturbance on a layer of the fixed toner and a good layer of the fixed toner was observed on the PPC paper.
  • the obtained fixing liquid was spray-applied on a PPC paper on which an unfixed toner image was formed, without heating a fixing part of the fixing apparatus. Then, the surface of the image was rubbed with a waste after 5 seconds, 10 seconds, and 20 seconds, and the degree of toner fixation on the PPC paper was evaluated based on the presence or absence of adhesion of the toner to the waste.
  • the toner did not adhere to the waste even after 5 seconds and the toner had fixed on the PPC paper.
  • the odor intensity index of diethoxyethyl sebacate was 1
  • the odor intensity index of dimethylsiloxane was 0,
  • the odor intensity of the fixing liquid was 0. Additionally, no unpleasant odor generated in a laboratory at the time of fixation of the toner image. Further, as an image portion of the fixed toner was observed using an optical microscope, there was no disturbance on a layer of the fixed toner and a good layer of the fixed toner was observed on the PPC paper.
  • a fixing liquid in which liquid for softening toner was dispersed in a nonaqueous dispersing medium (material B) could provide a layer of fixed toner with no disturbance and a good layer of fixed toner, compared to a fixing liquid in which liquid for softening toner was dispersed in water.
  • the odor intensity indices of the fixing liquids obtained in practical examples 1 through 6 were 10 or less and no unpleasant odor generated in the laboratory at the time of fixation of a toner image.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fixing For Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Developing Agents For Electrophotography (AREA)

Claims (5)

  1. Fixierflüssigkeit, welche zum Fixieren eines Toners, enthaltend ein Harz, auf einem Aufzeichnungsmedium konfiguriert ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet dass ein Teilchen, welches eine Komponente enthält, die einen aliphatischen Ester umfasst und in der Lage ist, mindestens einen Teil des in dem Toner enthaltenen Harzes zu lösen oder zu quellen, in einem nicht-wässrigen Dispersionsmedium dispergiert wird, wobei die Komponente, die in der Lage ist, mindestens einen Teil des in dem Toner enthaltenen Harzes zu lösen oder zu quellen, ein aliphatisches Dialkoxyalkyldicarboxylat umfasst.
  2. Fixierflüssigkeit wie in Anspruch 1 beansprucht, dadurch gekennzeichnet dass das aliphatische Dialkoxyalkyldicarboxylat eine Verbindung umfasst, welche durch eine allgemeine Formel,

            R5(COOR6-O-R7)2,

    dargestellt wird, wobei
    R5 ein Alkylenrest mit einer Kohlenstoffanzahl von 2 oder höher und 8 oder niedriger ist,
    R6 ein Alkylenrest mit einer Kohlenstoffanzahl von 2 oder höher und 4 oder niedriger ist, und
    R7 ein Alkylrest mit einer Kohlenstoffanzahl von 1 oder höher und 4 oder niedriger ist.
  3. Fixierflüssigkeit wie in Anspruch 1 oder 2 beansprucht, dadurch gekennzeichnet dass das nicht-wässrige Dispersionsmedium ein n-Alkan umfasst.
  4. Fixierflüssigkeit wie in einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3 beansprucht, dadurch gekennzeichnet dass das nicht-wässrige Dispersionsmedium ein Dimethylsilikon umfasst.
  5. Tonerfixiergerät, welches zum Fixieren eines Toners, enthaltend ein Harz, auf einem Aufzeichnungsmedium konfiguriert ist, wobei das Tonerfixiergerät eine Fixierflüssigkeit gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4 umfasst.
EP06010168A 2005-05-20 2006-05-17 Fixierflüssigkeit und Gerät zum Fixieren des Toners Not-in-force EP1724644B1 (de)

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EP1653294B1 (de) * 2004-11-02 2013-08-21 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Fixierlösung, Kapsel, Fixierverfahren, Fixiervorrichtung und Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung
DE602006016702D1 (de) 2005-10-27 2010-10-21 Ricoh Kk Fixiervorrichtung für ein Nichtheizfixiersystem
JP4960630B2 (ja) 2005-12-28 2012-06-27 株式会社リコー 定着液、トナーの定着方法、トナーの定着装置、画像形成方法、及び画像形成装置
US8323392B2 (en) * 2006-02-13 2012-12-04 Eastman Kodak Company Oil-in-oil dispersions stabilized by solid particles and methods of making the same
JP4531717B2 (ja) * 2006-04-17 2010-08-25 株式会社リコー 定着液、定着方法、定着装置、画像形成方法及び画像形成装置
US7813689B2 (en) * 2006-09-08 2010-10-12 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Fixing device and image forming apparatus
JP5075300B2 (ja) 2007-07-06 2012-11-21 株式会社リコー 画像形成装置
JP4863946B2 (ja) * 2007-07-19 2012-01-25 株式会社リコー 交換ユニット、画像形成装置、および画像形成装置の交換ユニット取り付け方法
US7821527B2 (en) * 2007-08-09 2010-10-26 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Image forming apparatus
JP2009069256A (ja) * 2007-09-11 2009-04-02 Ricoh Co Ltd 定着液の定温保持装置、および画像形成装置
JP5233369B2 (ja) * 2008-04-01 2013-07-10 株式会社リコー 画像形成装置
JP5146209B2 (ja) * 2008-09-11 2013-02-20 株式会社リコー 画像形成装置
JP2010286816A (ja) * 2009-05-11 2010-12-24 Ricoh Co Ltd 定着装置及び画像形成装置
JP2011215564A (ja) * 2009-07-01 2011-10-27 Ricoh Co Ltd 定着液、定着方法、定着装置、画像形成方法及び画像形成装置
JP5476978B2 (ja) * 2009-12-21 2014-04-23 株式会社リコー トナーを用いた定着方法
JP5565674B2 (ja) * 2010-03-04 2014-08-06 株式会社リコー 定着装置及び画像形成装置
JP2011203712A (ja) * 2010-03-04 2011-10-13 Ricoh Co Ltd 定着装置及び画像形成装置
JP2011186235A (ja) * 2010-03-09 2011-09-22 Ricoh Co Ltd 定着装置及び画像形成装置
JP2011237506A (ja) 2010-05-07 2011-11-24 Ricoh Co Ltd 定着装置、画像形成装置及び定着方法
JP2011242449A (ja) 2010-05-14 2011-12-01 Ricoh Co Ltd 定着装置および画像形成装置
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JP2006323321A (ja) 2006-11-30
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US7655374B2 (en) 2010-02-02

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